GREENVILLE, S.C. – Despite Kim Mulkey being away from her team in the leadup of the SEC Tournament to an unexpected death in her family , LSU women's basketball didn't skip a beat.
The No. 3 seed Tigers dominated No. 11 Florida in the early going of its first game in the conference tournament inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena, forcing 13 first-half turnovers that they cashed in for 19 points before halftime, which happened to be the differential at the break.
Star senior forward Aneesah Morrow had a couple of steals early, helping set the tone on the defensive end as LSU disposed of Florida, 101-87, to advance to the SEC Tournament semifinals Saturday night, when it'll meet 2 seed Texas. LSU set a program record for points in a SEC Tournament game.
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Morrow also set the tone on offense for the Tigers (28-4), scoring an LSU SEC Tournament single-game record with 36 points and 14 rebounds for her 27th double-double on this season.
According to the SEC Network game broadcast, Mulkey was away from her team all week and rejoined them in Greenville on Friday. She was on the bench during the game but LSU associate head coach Bob Starkey was the acting head coach.
LSU already is playing the SEC Tournament without its leading scorer, Flau'jae Johnson, who Mulkey shut down before its loss to Ole Miss in the regular season finale last week due to shin inflammation. With her out, Starkey turned to a more defensive-minded starting lineup and it worked.
For the game, the Tigers forced 19 turnovers that led to 25 LSU points.
HOW TO WATCH LSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IN SEC TOURNAMENT
Date: Friday, March 7
Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina
TV channel: SEC Network
South Carolina women's basketball vs. Vanderbilt will be broadcast on SEC Network with Caroline Peck and Courtney Lyle on the call.
Streaming options for the game include FUBO and ESPN+ .
LSU 76, Florida 67: This will be a close game the entire way through. The one-two punch of Williams and Morrow will be enough late in the game for LSU to edge Florida.
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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU women vs Florida final score: Aneesah Morrow powers LSU to victory
